Stupak “whipping” on Abortion from afar, doesn’t really mean it.

Even though Stupak says he will lead 40 Democrats to vote against the healthcare bill, he won’t be in DC to strip the provision from the bill, nor will he vote on it.

As theblogprof points out, at a recent town hall in Cheboygan Stupak said:

If everything I want [is] in the final bill, I like everything in the bill except you have public funding for abortion, and we had a chance to run our amendment and we lost. OK, I voted my conscience, stayed true to my principles, stayed true to the beliefs of this district, could I vote for healthcare? Yes I still could. -Bart Stupak

A recent Fox News report said that Stupak hasn’t been able to strip the provision from the bill.

“I have had some serious conversations over the past few days with the White House and House Leadership and I will continue to make every attempt to resolve the issue of public funding for abortion,” he said in a written statement.

“However, there is no agreement and I will oppose bringing the bill to the floor until an amendment can be offered or language agreed that will prevent public funding for abortion,” he said.

I believe that is called “blowing smoke.”  Staying true to your principles means you make sacrifices to achieve the goals of your dyed-in-the-wool convictions.

Tick, tock Bart.

Update: 1st District Republican chair, Jeff Lamb corroborates theblogprof. “I was at the Cheboygan Town Hall meeting where he (Stupak)  said he would vote for the health bill with or without the abortion limitation clause.”

Update: CNN reports that debate will be allowed to restrict abortion.

Update: Stupak shows in DC, will vote for healthcare bill.